A Young Girl's Extraordinary Account Of Heaven And Miracles Throughout A Kidnapping Experience

Posts filed in New year

It’s hard to believe that 2018 has already come and gone. 2018 was a busy year, with many milestones. One of my favorite highlights from last year was the birth of my first grandchild, Emma. After her visit on Christmas, I started thinking about the exciting feeling you get in the presence of a new baby. There is an extra pitter patter of my heart with this baby because she is my granddaughter; however there is a joyous feeling that I get with all babies. This week, I’ve asked myself why. What is it about babies that makes us smile, inside and out?

After much thought, this question can be answered with one little word, “hope”. When we look at a new baby, their future is filled with endless possibilities. They are a blank slate. Anything is possible. There are no known barriers. The feeling that they can do and be anything they want is exciting. It has caregivers want to be the best they can be in order to guide this new little one to achieve their potential.

I wonder, at what age do we stop looking at little people with this hope and possibility? Is it when they hit their “terrible twos”? When they become a teenager? When they become an adult? And now for the big question, why do we ever stop looking at others or ourselves with hope? Many people have taken detours in their lives which have led them down the wrong road. When this occurs, many times, their loved ones give up hope when this is when the person needs hope more than ever,

There are many examples of people who became successful later in life.

Samuel L Jackson was a struggling actor in the beginning of his career. He didn’t get a break until the age of 43 when he stared in the movie, Jungle Fever. I wonder how many of his loved ones gave up hope that he would ever make it rather than being supportive?

Stan Lee is considered the Godfather of Marvel Comics; however he didn’t write his first comic until the age of 39.

Julia Child didn’t release her first cookbook until the age of 50.

Vera Wang began her fashion career at age 40.

Colonel Sanders franchised his company at the age of 62.

Martha Stewart published her first entertainment book at age 41.

Henry Ford was 45 when he created the revolutionary Model T car.

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, began her painting career at the age of 78. In 2006, one of her paintings sold for $1.2 million.

Many of the “detours” we take in life are necessary in order for us to learn the lessons that we need to learn in order to prepare us for what’s next in life. In 2019, I will strive to look at others as I look at my granddaughter, Emma. To look at others with hope and to always see the potential within.

For the Christian readers, isn’t this how Christ sees us? And how He guides us to live? As we push aside the worry, fear, and “what ifs” we have strength to keep moving on. Hope equals strength.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

May we never give up hope on the people in our lives or on ourselves. Anything is possible.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my newly released book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Through The Fire Amazon.com/dp/1641915528/

As we count down to the New Year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead. For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective experience of 2017, there are countless stories from the year that remind us of the good in people. These stories give us hope for a bright future and bond us together as a community.

I hope that my story will help people who are struggling to make sense of suffering in the world. The book, Through the Fire will be released soon. The editing is complete, the page design is complete, and now we are working on the cover. I can’t wait to share the cover with everyone! I’m working with the talented artist Phil Roberts, who is creating beautiful artwork for the cover.

I’m grateful to everyone who reads, throughthefire.blog and especially to everyone who has followed, shared, and commented. Visitors have come from all over the world! It’s fascinating to me that I can write in my little home in the US and then have these words travel across the globe. There are readers from the following places: Greece, Canada, South Korea, Ireland, India, UK, Bosnia, Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, China, Spain, Columbia, Chile, Singapore, Turkey, Nigeria, Greenland, Trinidad, Kuwait, Sweden, Japan, Nepal, Kenya, Malaysia, Russia, Oman, Zambia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Germany, and South Africa! Thank you all for reading! It has been a privilege to share my story with all of you and to read the stories of those who have messaged to me. I am truly humbled as I read your stories and witness your strength, bravery and courage as you choose to live lives of love. The world is seeming much smaller as I see that across the globe, we all have similar struggles and joys in life. Regardless of our geographical location, socioeconomic status, race, religion, political affiliations, or gender, we are all faced with the same dilemma, how will we face the struggles in life and how will we face our achievements?

As we look forward to 2018, we might be a little hesitant to set new goals, especially if we want to achieve the same goal that we had as a resolution last year and maybe even the year before and the year before that. If we didn’t meet our goals last year, we begin the new year with a feeling of discouragement. ‘If I couldn’t accomplish my goal last year, how am I going to do it this year?’ First, we have to change our thinking. In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can!

To achieve our goals, we need accountability, determination, encouragement, and perseverance – we can never give up. Here are some of my favorite quotes for encouragement on not giving up.

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill

“I never lose. I either win or learn.” Nelson Mandela

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. Time will pass anyway.” Earl Nightingale

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison referring to the light bulb

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” T.F. Hodge

Let us not become wearing of doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius

The question is not if we will have struggles and hardships, but rather “how” will we meet them? When we fall, will we rise? Will we continue to persevere and walk through the struggle? #throughthefire

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